Oh — why did I wait so long to make hot buttered bourbon?
I’ve had this on my to-do list for years — honestly, three seasons came and went before I finally made it. Life got busy, there were babies and new ideas, and somehow I kept putting it off. Now that I’ve finally tried it, I’m kicking myself for the delay. This is a winter drink through and through: cozy, spiced, and perfect for a chilly night by the fire. It may even be my new favorite way to ring in the new year.
What’s delightful about hot buttered bourbon is the make-ahead element. You prepare a sweet, spiced butter — think of it as a flavored batter — and it keeps well in the refrigerator. That means when a cold evening calls for something warm and boozy, you can reach into the fridge and have everything ready in minutes.
About the butter
The butter mixture is essentially a spiced frosting: butter, brown sugar, a touch of maple, cinnamon, nutmeg and warming spices. It’s richer and less sweet than cake frosting, but the flavor profile is very similar — which makes spooning a tiny taste totally understandable. (No judgment if you do.)
To make the drink, you simply place a shot or two of bourbon in a mug, add a spoonful or two of the butter mixture, and top with boiling water. Whisk it until the butter melts and integrates with the bourbon. The result is unbelievably smooth, warmly spiced, and comforting — the butter blends into the drink so it feels silky rather than greasy.
I prefer bourbon to rum for this—bourbon’s flavor profile complements the spiced butter beautifully. After whisking, I like to top the drink with a dollop of lightly whipped cream. Unsweetened or barely sweetened cream cuts through the richness and melds with the hot drink to create a luxuriously soft mouthfeel. I whip the cream just until it’s barely holding together so it melts into the drink rather than sitting stiffly on top.
Truthfully, this is my new grown-up hot cocoa. It’s indulgent, warming, and a lovely way to end an evening — especially on a cold winter night.
Hot Buttered Bourbon
Hot Buttered Bourbon
Yield:
4
to 6 people
20 mins
10 mins
30 mins
Ingredients
Buttered bourbon batter
-
½
cup
unsalted butter, softened -
½
cup
packed brown sugar -
2
tablespoons
pure maple syrup -
½
teaspoon
ground cinnamon -
¼
teaspoon
salt -
¼
teaspoon
freshly grated nutmeg -
¼
teaspoon
allspice
To make one drink
-
1–2
shots bourbon -
4–5
ounces
boiling water -
1–2
tablespoons
buttered bourbon mix - whipped cream for serving
Instructions
-
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt. Beat on medium speed until smooth and fully incorporated. Transfer the mixture to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator if not using immediately.
-
To assemble the drink, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add 1 to 2 shots of bourbon to a mug, then stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture. Fill the mug with boiling water and whisk constantly until the butter melts and the drink is smooth. Top with lightly whipped cream and serve hot.
Drinks
American
How Sweet Eats
Decided: this is my grown-up hot cocoa.